Oziyah Sellers Leads St. John’s to Victory Over Baylor

Las Vegas — Oziyah Sellers continues to shine for St. John’s, following a simple mantra from head coach Rick Pitino: "Shoot the ball." This strategy proved effective once again as Sellers contributed significantly to the team’s recent success, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring a total of 22 points in a thrilling 96-81 victory against Baylor at the Michelob Ultra Arena.

A Stellar Performance

Sellers’ confidence on the court has skyrocketed. Reflecting on his recent games, he noted, "Even in moments when I felt like I wasn’t really open, he wanted me to take it. Having that confidence from him makes me want to go out there and play free." Sellers played a pivotal role in the game, logging an impressive 36 minutes on the floor and showcasing his shooting prowess.

• Key Stats:
  • 3-Pointers: 5 of 7
  • Total Points: 22
  • Minutes Played: 36

After a slow start, making only three 3-pointers in the first four games of the season, Sellers found his rhythm, going 10-for-13 from beyond the arc in the last two games. His newfound comfort level can be attributed to the favorable shooting conditions at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Bryce Hopkins Shines

Joining Sellers in the spotlight was Bryce Hopkins, who added 26 points and converted three 3-pointers in a perfect shooting performance. Hopkins emphasized the importance of consistency in his practice regime, stating, “As the season goes on and teams try to game-plan for us, I’m that much more confident in taking my shots.”

Strengths of the Team

• Offensive Momentum: With an average of 95.3 points per game, St. John’s is off to its best offensive start in history, narrowly surpassing the previous high of 95.2 set in 1971-72.
• 3-Point Shooting: The Red Storm set a season high with 11 made 3-pointers on 22 attempts against Baylor.

Ricky Pitino’s Leadership

Coach Pitino is emphasizing an aggressive playing style this season, encouraging his players to take shots when given the opportunity. “I haven’t begged my players very often to shoot the ball, but I begged these two guys to take more shots,” he stated, referring specifically to Sellers and Hopkins.

Consistency in Lineups

A noticeable trend this season has been Pitino’s decision to stick with consistent starting lineups. After alternating starting five in the first four games, he has maintained the same starters for the last three contests.

Conclusion

As St. John’s continues to excel, the confidence seen from players like Oziyah Sellers and Bryce Hopkins is a telling sign of where the team is headed this season. With a potent offense and steadfast support from their coach, the Red Storm are positioned to make waves in the college basketball landscape.

For further updates on St. John’s stats and standings, check out the latest information here.